Fortress (4)

Pagan Temple (1)

Other (1)

St. Echmiadzin is the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Founded in 303 by the first Armenian Catholicos, St. Gregory the Illuminator (Lousavoritch), the church was built on the foundations of a pre-Christian temple in the city of Vagharshapat, the former name of Etchmiadzin. Vagharshapat was founded by King Vagarshak (117-140) in the place of Vardkesavan. An ancient settlement of the third-second centuries B.C. In view of the might of the town's fortifications, fortress walls, ramparts and moats, the Romans, upon the second destruction of Artashat in 163, transferred the capital of Armenia to Vagarshapat which, after Christianity was proclaimed the state religion in 301, became the country's religious centre as well.

Etchmiadzin, Armenian for "The place of the descent of the only-begotten", is the seat of the Armenian Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. St. Etchmiadzin also houses an extensive museum with relics and treasures.

Etchmiadzin Cathedral is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000).